May 16th, 2013 · Comments Off on Coast Guard Station Port Aransas opens doors for National Safe Boating Week

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coast Guard and maritime partnering agencies will be providing a National Safe Boating Week open house at Coast Guard Station Port Aransas, Saturday May 18, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The following guest speakers will provide opening remarks at the event at 10:30 a.m.:

There will be various official rescue boats on display for public viewing, interactive booths that teach boater safety and a maritime pyrotechnic demonstration of handheld flares for boater awareness and education. Food and beverages will be available.

Coastie, an animated robot tugboat, will be on hand to interact and entertain children while teaching them what to do and not to do when on or around the water.

“Boating safety and education is a key element to a safe and enjoyable maritime experience,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Matt Vaughn. “Our event at Coast Guard Station Port Aransas is an opportunity to engage with the maritime community in a positive and proactive manner. National statistics suggest that a lack of boater education and proper equipment knowledge are a major component in marine accidents. We’d like to take this opportunity to promote safe boating and prevent accidents before they happen and ultimately build our community relationships.”

National Safe Boating Week reminds boaters to “Wear It!” this summer. A life jacket is one of the most effective and simple proven life-saving strategies for safe recreational boating. During all recreational water activities it’s important to remember safety precautions. With approximately 500 people drowning each year from recreational boating accidents, it is imperative to spread the message of responsible boating and a simple life-saving strategy – “Wear It!” – wear a life jacket at all times on the water.

Station Port Aransas was originally opened on June 18, 1878, as a life saving station in Port Aransas by an act of Congress. In January of 1915, the modern day Coast Guard was formed, and the life-saving station on Mustang Island became Coast Guard Station Port Aransas. This station remained occupied by the crew until 1976, when it was replaced by the current Coast Guard station you see today.